Perhaps my pride inflated the self-assessment :) I'm nowhere near that established but also relatively young (mid-30s). Retirement is a solid 20 years away or

Perhaps my pride inflated the self-assessment :) I'm nowhere near that established but also relatively young (mid-30s). Retirement is a solid 20 years away or something, but I'd like to sort a lot of this out beforehand. My sole income is on the higher-than-average side, but not quite on the level of FAANG+benefits; around 170k. It's hard to say exactly, it may vary 10% with some share kickbacks. The cost of things has generally been a squeeze; renting, running costs, etc. It's likely overstated; I more went from lavish not-caring to now having to mind my footing. No change in income or expenditures aside from their cost :/ Inflation has outpaced every raise. The growth of my savings has slowed considerably... I'd like to make my first steps into real estate! Really just as a place to live, not as income. I really need to leave this city; my rent has nearly doubled.